April 02, 2010

Wow, it has been a crazy week. Last week I had a booth at the Duds for Doodlebugs consignment sale in Hattiesburg. I sold handmade cards as well as discounted scrapbook supplies. I was clearing out my stash because I have TOO MUCH STUFF and I'm always WANTING NEW STUFF. If you know anything about the scrapbooking industry, products are typically short-lived. With the exception of tools, paints, etc. you can't find a particular patterned paper year after year. Product releases are scheduled around CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) shows which happen twice a year. This means that twice a year manufacturers have NEW stuff. It's a craft hoarders dream/nightmare.

I still have a ton of stuff left and it's still for sale. I'm thinking about listing some of it on etsy and selling the rest at crops. Yes, you heard right. There are scrapbook parties / crops in the works. With both the local independent scrapbook stores closed, the opportunity to get together with fellow scrappers has all but ceased to exist. Well, no more baby! I'm bringing 'em back! Stay tuned for details.

In the meantime, I'm trying to get my house back in order. And, I've been doing a lot of creative play as well. I've been pulling out old photos to scrapbook.

March 11, 2010

Just wanted to pop in real quick and share something inspiring. J and I have been watching tv shows through Netflix, some instantly and some on DVD. Lately I've been watching a bunch of older shows (or older episodes) that I never watched while they were on tv. We've watched Pushing Daisies, which I adore and am so sad that I found it so late.

Another show we started watching is Eli Stone. I've watched four episodes and really enjoy it so far. Plus, I love Jonny Lee Miller ever since I saw him in Mansfield Park.

The show is about a guy who starts having hallucinations that are really visions pushing him towards paths that help others while he learns more about himself and his relationships with those around him. Meanwhile, those decisions make him look like a certified quack and strain his relationship with his employers and his fiance.

The first episodes deals with him learning about this new-found gift. Eli's friend, Dr. Chen is convinced that Eli is meant to be some sort of prophet, saying that God has called a prophet in every generation. Here's how the rest of that conversation goes:

Eli: The difference between those guys and me is - I don't believe in God.

Dr. Chen: Sure you do. You believe in right and wrong. You believe in justice, in fairness. And, you believe in love. All those things - they're God, Eli. And, that [pointing to a sunset] - that's God, too.

Of course, I understand that many people have different and opposing views on what God is. After all, there are a billion and one religions devoted to this god and that god. And, I also understand that line was written from a secular, neutral point of view so every person, no matter his or her faith, could walk away appreciating the quote and not finding any offense with it.

But, I'm going to speak from my point of view. As a believer in Christ, I do agree that God is love, just, and fair, among many other good attributes. After all, God is good. And what I love is that Dr. Chen associated a sunset with God. I thank God for sunsets all the time.

Furthermore, as I strive to be a better and more confident artist, I am reminded of the True Artist, Yahweh. I can paint canvases, make cards, draw dolls, and scrapbook my history. And, while I'm proud of my masterpiece, I can only say that it is, at best, a fair imitation of the true masterpiece that surrounds me - God's creation.

Take, for instance, the sunset. Dr. Chen was right saying that a sunset is God because God created that sunset. No man or woman or child can claim ownership to that marvelous masterpiece. How marvelous that He would take a moment during the creation of this world to paint a sunset that you and I can enjoy often - a sunset that is different every single day.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1

Hello everyone and happy Thursday. I apologize that I haven't posted anything in a few days but I have been a busy little bee with things that I can't share yet but hope to soon.

After several days of storms and rainy blugh weather, we have sunshine today in good 'ol Mississippi. Talk about spring fever! The kiddos will be on spring break next week, and I hope the lovely weather continues for them. Usually it is fuh-reezing cold but maybe not this year. Who knows? Our weather has been crazy this year with lots of snow, so maybe spring break will actually be warm.

Anyway, I thought it would be fitting to do a spring-inspired happy loves. After all, spring really is what is inspiring me right now.

1. Planting seeds. Love watching them grow from a little seed to a seedling to a full-grown plant. So cool. These are some of my cilantro seedlings I've started.

February 23, 2010

If you are a digital scrapbooker, then you must check out Wacom's Penscrappers website. A definite must if you own a pen tablet; however, you can still participate in the monthly challenges without one. Each month you can download a new (and FREE!!!) kit that you use to create a layout.

February 22, 2010

I've mentioned before that I got a Wacom Bamboo Pen Tablet. Love this little thing. It allows me to do things with digital scrapbooking and graphics design that I would never accomplish with a mouse. To help myself learn this little baby a bit more, I'm taking a class on Jessica Sprague's website, "Pen Tablet Basics for Scrapbookers." Here's my week one projects:

I'm trying to use my pen tablet instead of mouse to do anything in Photoshop. But, some specific things done with the pen tablet were: the handwriting, the scalloped border on the two orange papers, and the orange dotted line from one destination to the other.

We also had to practice some doodling mid-week with the theme of love. I'm no where near finished, but I thought I'd post a sample of the work I'm doing. I'll post the finished project when I completed. I think this would end up being a neat patterned paper.

And, finally, we had to create some sort of layout or embellishment using dotted lines. I made a journaling tag. I wanted it to have a free form look, so I didn't worry about lining the dotted lines up exactly or spacing them perfectly. I made a tag for my husband.

And, here's a blank one that you can download for your own personal use. You can right-click and "save link as" or click on the link to open the image in a new window.

February 21, 2010

The uber-talented Jennifer McGuire is hosting another round of Cards 4 Kids. This is a great opportunity to use your love of scrapbooking and cardmaking to make a little something to cheer a child who has been diagnosed with cancer. What a great idea! It takes very little time to make a card, so why not take a few more minutes to add an encouraging note and send the card to someone who could use it?

While there is no end for the card drive, if you want to be considered for a prize please mail your card by March 31st. You can send as many as you want.

I saw this on Jennifer's blog earlier and meant to send a card. Ashamedly, I did not. I know how much this would mean to me (or my child if I had one) if I was the one on the receiving end. Since I already make cards, I thought I would go ahead and make a few more to send.

So, my goal is to make one card for each child. And, if I make more that's great. Please join me in this amazing effort. You can find more information and read each child's story here.

I plan on posting pics of my cards on this blog. If you are participating in the Cards 4 Kids drive, please leave a comment. I would love to check our your blog if you have one.

Purchase all three and save! Get the theme set, stickers, and tags for $8.75.

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Shipping and handling is $8.45 for items totaling $87.

Items will be shipped directly to you, so you don't have to worry about meeting me to pick up your product.

There is a 7% MS sales tax added to your purchase.

If you are interested in ordering any of the above items, please email me at christysheffield51207@yahoo.com. I will send you an invoice through PayPal. Once payment is received I will submit your order!